Written By: Luke Cunningham
Batman? Spider-Man? No. Whatever it may be, it’s not better than Invincible, and here’s why.
With Invincible Season 3 releasing just last month and the Battle Beast comic pre-order outselling many of the Big Two’s recent books (Marvel and DC), I thought this would be the perfect time to recap and give my take on why this universe is so amazing.
From sweet romance, gut-wrenching horror, and barf-stimulating action—if you’re looking for something to read or watch, Invincible has it. It was first made by the great mind behind The Walking Dead comics, Robert Kirkman, in January 2003. He didn’t create it to poke fun at the superhero genre like many other independent authors do, but to express everything he loves about it.
Every Invincible fan remembers the story of how they discovered this gem among the bloated list of Amazon shows. For me, it was a lonely night, and I was doom-scrolling on Instagram until I found that clip of Omni-Man squeezing the eyes out of Red Rush’s skull. For a guy who was an MCU and DCU-only watcher, it was amazing to see a superhero show brave enough to do something like that.
At first, it felt like the author was trying to poke fun at Marvel and DC for constantly using the same tropes and dumbing everything down for children. But according to Robert Kirkman who was interviewed by polygon:
“I think that one of the reasons Invincible has done as well as it has is that I’m not a creator that is pointing out the deficiencies of the superhero genre, or pointing out what I don’t like about the superhero genre. Invincible is meant to celebrate everything that I love about the superhero genre.”
Taking another look at the comic—from the awesome intergalactic wars to multiversal clashes—I believe I fully understand what he means. The superhero genre is a lot more complicated than the repetitive Marvel movies that get rushed out every year. When I think of amazing heroes like Spawn, Hellboy, and even Luke Skywalker, I can feel the same passion Robert Kirkman has for the greatest of the greats.
And I’m not the only one. From Rotten Tomatoes itself, I saw the unbelievable ratings it scored: Season 1 scored 98%, Season 2 scored a whopping 100%, and Season 3 also scored 100%. I haven’t even mentioned the Season 3 finale, which holds a 9.8 IMDb rating—surpassing massive shows like Game of Thrones—making it the 12th highest-rated episode of all time.
With the show only covering a little over a third of the comics so far, there’s still so much more to anticipate. Like the Viltrumite War, for example. We all know Invincible’s brother Oliver and how his race (Thraxan) has accelerated growth. What happens when you combine Thragg with every Thraxan on their planet? You get a horrifically entertaining war that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Invincible is mind-boggling from start to finish—literally. Eventually, we’ll get to see the ending of Invincible animated, and not be scared of disappointment. A lot of shows end terribly and leave fans starving and hopeless, but the ending to Invincible was perfect. That’s why it goes down as the best comic series of all time.
Don’t just take it from me—take it from two of the most credible comic raters, AIPT and ComicBook Roundup. ComicBook Roundup rates the last issue of Invincible a solid 9/10. AIPT gives it a stellar 10/10, justifying that perfect score by saying:
“With all the ways in which a story like this, that has spanned so many years and so many issues, could be satisfyingly wrapped up, the creative team did it splendidly!”
I completely agree with these ratings. I’d even rate it a ten trillion out of ten if I could. It’s truly an amazing ending. We all know how Omni-Man was in the beginning—how he believed Viltrumites were conquerors, destined to take over Earth. He said it was the “Viltrum way.”
But then we had Mark, who showed his dad that Viltrumites could protect rather than harm. At the end, as he peacefully relaxes with his wife and kid, he quotes his father from when he tried to conquer Earth: “This is the Viltrum way.” It was a perfect full-circle moment—especially with the original illustrator returning to draw the final panel.
So, don’t fret. You’re in good hands. It might take Amazon years upon years to get these seasons out, but it will all be worth it in the end. If you still haven’t read or watched Invincible, what are you doing?
There’s a reason Invincible has built such a passionate and loyal fanbase—it doesn’t just subvert expectations, it elevates them. While many superhero stories tread familiar ground with predictable arcs, Invincible constantly surprises readers and viewers alike with its emotional depth, brutal honesty, and genuine love for the genre. It’s not cynical, it’s not gimmicky—it’s raw and real in the most comic-book way possible.
One of the things that makes Invincible stand out is its emotional intelligence. Yes, it’s hyper-violent, and yes, the blood and gore will test your tolerance, but underneath all that is a deeply human story. Mark Grayson isn’t just a “teenage superhero” stereotype. He’s a person who evolves—and not just in terms of his powers. He struggles with relationships, questions morality, and carries the burden of a fractured identity as both human and Viltrumite. His story is one of growth, failure, recovery, and sacrifice. You’ll see him experience devastating losses, painful betrayal, and yet still rise, again and again, not because he’s invincible in body, but because of his willpower.
It’s hard to talk about Invincible without mentioning the art style too. While the animated series leans into a clean, almost nostalgic cartoon look, that’s what makes the graphic violence so jarring and effective. It lures you in with a seemingly innocent visual style and then hits you like a freight train with scenes that leave your jaw on the floor. It doesn’t use violence for cheap shock value—it uses it to reinforce the weight of every decision the characters make. When people die in Invincible, it matters. And when cities are destroyed, there’s no reset button. Every action has a consequence.
And let’s not forget the side characters, who are just as compelling as the main ones. Atom Eve, for example, is one of the best-developed female superheroes in modern media. She’s not just “the girlfriend” or a sidekick—she’s a fully realized character with her own story arcs, trauma, and growth. From her internal conflict about using her powers to the complex dynamics of her relationship with Mark, she’s proof that Robert Kirkman and his team knew how to craft characters who feel authentic.
My 11 year old little sister’s name is Amber Cunningham and even she is an invincible fan despite the mature themes it holds.
“I love Mark (Invincible) but my favorite character is Atom Eve because she is very strong. I bet she could even beat superman all she needs to do is make kryptonite”.
Then there’s Robot, whose transition from team nerd to morally grey strategist is one of the most intriguing arcs in the story. Or Allen the Alien—who starts as a comedic character and slowly becomes one of the most powerful and important figures in the galaxy. There’s real care put into every arc, every transformation. You can tell these characters were planned with purpose, not just written in to fill space.
The show also excels in world-building. It doesn’t just focus on Earth. The Invincible universe is massive, filled with alien empires, time-traveling tyrants, immortal beings, and multiverse warlords. There’s always a sense that something bigger is out there. You never know what the next season or issue will bring—will it be a planetary coup? A heartbreaking death? A surprise twist that makes you question everything you thought you knew about the characters? Probably all three.
Even the villains are more than just mustache-twirling stereotypes. Thragg, Conquest, and Anissa, for example, are all terrifying in their own right—not just because of their strength, but because of how ruthlessly committed they are to their beliefs. Thragg, in particular, is the kind of villain that makes your stomach twist every time he appears. He’s not evil for the sake of it; he’s terrifying because he truly believes he’s right, and worse, he’s smart and capable enough to prove it.
And the pacing—my god, the pacing. Kirkman never wastes your time. Every panel, every scene pushes the story forward. Even when things slow down, it’s to give weight to the emotional stakes, not just to stall. Compared to the bloated, often repetitive narratives of other long-running comic series, Invincible is refreshingly lean without ever feeling rushed.
It’s also worth noting how the themes in Invincible have matured with the audience. What starts as a coming-of-age superhero story evolves into a multi-layered epic exploring imperialism, parenthood, war, forgiveness, and legacy. And unlike other franchises that end up soft-rebooting themselves into oblivion, Invincible has a real ending. It has closure. And not just a neat wrap-up, but one that feels earned and satisfying.
And how about the sound design and voice acting in the show? Absolutely top-tier. Steven Yeun as Mark, J.K. Simmons as Omni-Man, Sandra Oh as Debbie—they all bring depth to their characters in ways that elevate the material even further. When J.K. Simmons delivers the now-iconic “Think, Mark!” line, it’s not just a meme. It’s a gut-punch. You feel the pain, the rage, the conflict. These actors weren’t phoning it in; they were all in.
So yeah, when I say Invincible is better than Batman or Spider-Man, I mean it. Not because those characters aren’t great, but because Invincible dares to do what few stories in the superhero genre ever do—it evolves. It respects its readers’ intelligence. It doesn’t just give you a hero to root for—it gives you a universe to believe in.
It’s not just a comic. It’s a masterpiece.
And if you’re tired of the same old, same old? Tired of sanitized superheroes and recycled CGI slugfests? Then do yourself a favor—pick up Invincible. Watch it. Read it. Feel it. You won’t regret it.
Invincible is—and will always be—the pinnacle of comic book series. So drop everything on that watchlist and tune in to the pinnacle like the rest of us. Become.